4 hospitalized after California metal recycling center explosion

2022-10-11 15:32:03 By : Mr. oscar jia

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Montclair police lifted evacuation orders Thursday evening near the site where explosions rocked a metal recycling plant and released potentially dangerous gases.

Metal cylinders containing compressed gas exploded, ABC7 reported, with others scattered about the neighborhood near 10775 State St. by the force of blasts that began at about 9 a.m.

Five people were reported injured, four of them hospitalized, after being burned or hit by shrapnel.

Firefighters survey the scene where explosions damaged a metal recycling plant on 3rd Street in Montclair on Thursday, March 31, 2022. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A firefighter sprays down debris in an area of a plant where explosions damaged a metal recycling plant on 3rd Street in Montclair on March 31, 2022. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Firefighters survey the scene where explosions damaged a metal recycling plant on 3rd Street in Montclair on Thursday, March 31, 2022. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A fire investigator looks over the scene where explosions damaged a metal recycling plant on 3rd Street in Montclair on Thursday, March 31, 2022. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A firefighter looks over the scene where explosions damaged a metal recycling plant on 3rd Street in Montclair on March 31, 2022. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Fire investigators look over the scene where explosions damaged a metal recycling plant on 3rd Street in Montclair on Thursday, March 31, 2022. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Firefighters work to put a fire after explosions damaged a metal recycling plant on 3rd Street in Montclair on March 31, 2022. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A firefighter looks at debris as he sprays down hotspots in an area of a plant where explosions damaged a metal recycling plant on 3rd Street in Montclair on March 31, 2022. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Fire investigators work the scene where explosions damaged a metal recycling plant on 3rd Street in Montclair on Thursday, March 31, 2022. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

The police department said on Facebook the mandatory evacuations were issued “out of an abundance of caution.”

The American Red Cross was setting up an evacuation site at the Montclair Community Center at 5111 Benito St., the police department said at about 3 p.m. Anyone with questions was asked to call 909-625-9479 for shelter information.

The smoke from the blaze was seen for miles. In a video briefly posted on Twitter before being removed, repeated popping noises could be heard coming from the property. Some cars parked in the neighborhood were damaged by flying debris.

A Montclair police dispatcher originally said the fire was burning at 10775 Silicon Ave., which is the address for Cali Foam Products. But a person who answered the phone there Thursday said the fire was next door.

Streets were closed in the area of Silicon, State Street and 3rd Street.

Some Ontario-Montclair School District schools were placed on precautionary lockdowns, the school district said on Twitter.

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